Summary
Most games encourage the players to relentlessly chase their destination, which is what many do to satisfy their hunger for the final verdict. While it’s undeniable that a game isincomplete without an ending, sometimes, a game’s appeal lies in the journey and not in the endpoint.
There are countless video games that fans will always remember for how they made them feel after embarking on a beautiful and story-rich journey. For players who are looking for a compelling video game experience that prioritizes the journey above the climax, there are some great options out there for them to dive into.
The game’s essence lies in its journey, which is why it has been named such. Thisunder-5-hour-long gamewas developed by ThatGameCompany and was released on Steam in the year 2020. It is one of the few titles that creates a solid bond between two random players who are strangers to each other. A bond that can only be realized when one of them leaves mid-journey.
The game is set in a vast and mysterious desert where players can go solo or can be joined by a real companion anytime. Its minimalistic graphics, ambient music, and the way players travel together, helping each other without any form of communication, keep its focus on the journey alive. Fortunately, players will get to see the username of their companions at the end of the credits, but much of what makesJourneyso immersive is the journey itself.
Half-Liferevolutionized the current FPS genre and is one of the iconic games of the late 90s that the majority of veteran gamers remember today.Half-Life 2, which is the sequel to the originalHalf-Life, doesn’t end the storyline but instead expands it into two more episodes, providing an innovative extension.
The game sets the players in a dystopian world once again, where they witness technological advancements, new characters,powerful weapons, mysterious plots, and better graphics than before on their journey. Even though it has been more than a decade since both episodes came out, many players still enjoy embarking on the journey again only to find themselves hungry forHalf-Life 3.
Thisthird-person action-adventure gameis not only a rewarding experience, but the journey of Joel and Ellie together creates a compelling and complex storyline where they both rely on each other to survive through a fungal pandemic.
The intense combat, stealth, and exploration ofThe Last of Usadd to the difficult journey of the duo, and the atmospheric soundtrack and the heightened tension throughout the game make every part of the story even more notable. For fans of slow-burning narratives,The Last of Usis a no-brainer.
AfterPortalwent viral, Valve came up with its sequel that took the gaming community by storm. This first-person platformer puts players through countless mazes that can be solved either individually orwith a friend in co-op mode. Unlike its rather short ending, where the protagonist Chell successfully leaves the Aperture Science Labs, the game presents a long and exhaustive journey.
Its unique gameplay of creating portals on walls and floors demands critical thinking and strategy. After having gone through all of that, Chell is betrayed by her own guide, Wheatley, which leads to an intense battle at the end.Portal 2’s hardcore journey remains more memorable than its ending, however.
Fans of theGod of Warfranchise are well familiar with the brutal and violent nature of Kratos, but this soon changes inGod of War(2018), where Kratos becomes wiser and more mature. AlmosteveryGod of Wargamehas been iconic in its gameplay, but this one brings a dad-son connection into the storyline, along with some ground-breaking battles.
The various cutscenes show the evolving relationship between Kratos and Atreus and how they grow as they indulge in exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat with formidable bosses.
The award-winning indie title,Stray, received a lot of praise from critics and cat lovers around the world. After being separated from its family, this desperate cat struggles to find its way back home, only to be faced with a journey full of obstacles and confusion.
As it progresses through the underground city towards the upper levels by solving various puzzles with the help of B-12, it is finally able to escape to the real world. The cat’s journey is exciting and full of suspense, and fans will likely be able to replay it over and over again without getting bored.
Players who love atmospheric gameplay, exploration, and world-building will have so much fun inDeath Strandingand will likely find themselves spending hundreds of hours immersed in the experience it offers. The various landscapes, with their unique design and challenges, will put the players through a compelling story where they have to reconnect isolated cities and people by delivering essential supplies and restoring a fractured network.
Those who have already completed the game generally come back again for further exploration, which is why, according to many, it’s the best journey game ever.
From the very firstUnchartedgame toUncharted 4: A Thief’s End, every installment in this franchise is well-made andworthy of players' time. InUncharted 4, Sam and Drake find their way out of the prison in search of treasure in the forests of Madagascar.
This action-filled journey, where the players combat against Rafe Adler and his army, finally makes Drake’s wife aware of the situation, compelling her to join him on a thrilling adventure. As they go through various hurdles, solve puzzles, and kill enemies, the journey feels more like a thriller-filled adventure movie than a video game.
